Togo in mourning after football attack

Euronews

The West African republic of Togo has gone into three days of official mourning, after two members of its national soccer delegation were killed in a rebel ambush before the African Nations Cup in Angola. The team and officials were recalled from the tournament.

In the capital, Lome, one fan said: “I think it’s good that the government have declared national mourning. I am in mourning myself. We should pray in our churches and mosques so the souls of our two murdered compatriots can find peace.”

Another said: “We are happy that there are three days of mourning. It’s normal. And it’s good that our president had the courage to bring our brothers back, because who knows what could have happened after all this killing.”

The attack happened in the enclave of Cabinda where the team were heading by bus for a match against Ghana.

The Angolan minister in charge of Cabinda’s affairs promised to pursue the leaders of the FLEC rebels, who have been directing a campaign from Paris for the region’s independence.

It is a major embarrassment for Angola at the showpiece soccer tournament. Earlier, officials said two men suspected of taking part in the attack had been arrested.